Kozak02Shutter Speeds
by Steve Kozak
M. Photog., CR.
PPA Certified

 

 

 

 

This camera control is usually found on the body of the camera, although on older cameras, it is sometimes found on the lens. The shutter speed controls the amount of light that reaches the film by determining how long the lens remains open. Memorize these shutter speeds:

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Notice that shutter speeds continue in both directions. Also note that we go from 1 second to 1/2 second. Your camera will not show these speeds in fraction form. When you look at your shutter speed dial and it says 500, it means that it is 1/500th of a second!

(Now comes the tricky part!)

  • The smaller the shutter speed number (1/1000), the faster the shutter.
  • The larger the shutter speed number (1/2), the slower the shutter.

(Just because your camera says 1000 – it is not bigger than 2. Remember they are
fractions.)

  • A fast shutter speed allows less light to reach the sensor than a slow shutter speed.
  • More light reaches the sensor during 1/2 second than 1/1000th of a second.

Shutter speeds have the same relationships to each other as do the f-stops in that when you move from one shutter speed to the next: You either double the amount of light that reaches the sensor or you cut it in half.

EXAMPLE:

  • Move from 1/250 to 1/125 and the amount of light reaching the sensor doubles.
  • Move from 1/30 to 1/15 and the amount of light reaching the sensor doubles.
    The pattern continues.

ON THE OTHER HAND:

  • Move from 1/30 to 1/60 and the amount of light reaching the sensor is cut in half.
  • Move from 1/500 to 1/1000 and the amount of light reaching the sensor is cut in half.
    The pattern continues.

So in Summary:
ss1

Welcome to your Lesson 2: Shutter Speeds

Name Email

1. Which line has the “full” f-stops in the correct order?

6. If you were using a shutter speed of 1/500, what speed would you need use if you wanted to cut the amount of light reaching the sensor, in half?

2. Which line has the “full” shutter speeds in the correct order?

3. If you move the f-stop from F11 to F8, what happens to the amount of light that reaches the sensor?

4. If you move the shutter speed from 1/125 to 1/250, what happens to the amount of light that reaches the sensor?

5. If you move the shutter speed from 1/60 to 1/30, what happens to the amount of light that reaches the sensor?

7. If you were using a shutter speed of 1/250, what speed would you need use if you wanted to double the amount of light reaching the sensor?

8. What is the most likely outcome if you change the shutter speed from 1/60 to a speed of 1/15?

9. What is the most likely outcome if you change the shutter speed from 1/125 to a speed of 1/500?

10. Which of the following shutter speeds might be best for photographing a runners crossing the finish line at a race?

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